Early Childhood Substitute Assistant Teacher (temporary or seasonal)

Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date 07/16/2026 Classification Title Early Childhood Assistant Working Title Early Childhood Substitute Assistant Teacher (temporary or seasonal) Department 260401 - CDC Helen Gordon Office Position Number D97125 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Position FTE .49 End date, if applicable 03/15/2027

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) and Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center (HGITC) are full-day children's programs for Portland State University, serving children aged six weeks to five years. Located on the PSU campus in downtown Portland, the Centers provide model early childhood programs for the children of Portland State University students, faculty and staff, and the Portland community. The Centers are a laboratory for students and faculty participating in observation, practice and research activities in Early Childhood Education, Child, Youth and Family Studies, psychology, and related fields. HGCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Substitute Assistant Teacher works as needed across the programs as a support member of a teaching team in one of the Center's classrooms. The Early Childhood Substitute Assistant works cooperatively with the other classroom teachers to plan and implement a model early childhood program. The Early Childhood Substitute Assistant acts as a model for classroom aides and practicum students: teaching appropriate skills and techniques by example. The Early Childhood Substitute Assistant needs to be able to work in any classroom and with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.

Minimum Qualifications from Classification

• A minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Special Education; OR
• A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR
• One year of full-time experience in a certified day care center or comparable child care program.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for this Position

• Staff must maintain continuous enrollment in the Office of Child Care, Central Background Registry.
• Staff must maintain certification in Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR.
• Staff must complete the Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect in Oregon training.
• Staff must hold a current Oregon Food Handler's Card.
• Staff must complete the Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants training.
• Staff must complete the Introduction to ChildCare Health & Safety training.
• Staff must complete the Prevention is Better Than Treatment training.
• Staff must complete the Foundations For Learning training.
• Staff must participate in and maintain 24 clock hours of training or education annually as defined by the Oregon Rules for Certified Child Care Centers as well as SPARK, Oregon's Quality Recognition and Improvement System.

Preferred Qualifications

• AA Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Prior experience working with a diverse population of children and families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours Approx. 19 hours per week-schedule to be determined Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

The starting salary rate for this position will be between $18.06 and $19.36 per hour.

This .49 FTE temporary, part-time position is NOT benefits eligible.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

Special Working Conditions:

Working with young children requires the ability to deal with multiple stimuli: noise, varied lighting, sustained activity, and continuous emotional and physical demands. Able to lift, move, hold and carry children and objects up to 50 pounds across a classroom. Able to push/pull at least 6 children in a stroller or wagon and walk with a group of children for one mile without stopping. Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities. Must be able to see and hear children for supervision and perform physical tasks within a time frame of a fast-paced early childhood environment. Able to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of varied weather conditions.

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.

Background Check Required Yes If you have questions

Please email the Helen Gordon Child Development Center athelengordoncdc@pdx.edu or phone 503-725-3092

Search Details

Posting Close Date Application screening begins 03/13/2026

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Do you have a minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Special Education; OR A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR One year of full-time experience in a certified day care center or comparable child care program.
• Yes
• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Professional References

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter